“Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great… things that your eyes have seen.” Deuteronomy 10:14-21
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night…
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
How great are your works, O Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep!..
You, O Lord, are on high forever.” Psalm 92:1-2,4-5,8
“The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
Your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting…
Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
the Lord on high is mighty!
Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house,
O Lord, forevermore.” Psalm 93:1-2,4-5
It is good to give thanks, and therefore to contemplate the Most High, and fathom His infinite power and great works. It is good because it raises joy songs to Him who is worthy. It is good because it makes us glad. It is good because we are reminded He is the great One who resides over the expanse of creation yet has set His affection on us, and not the other way around. It is good because He is the One who befits our praise.
The hustle of all things seen and alarming and pressing so easily entrenches our minds in what is not high. An irritation here, a snide comment there, and a heart grows stubborn, perception spoils. Oh, how wont we are to get cozy with the lowlands! Turn your eyes outside of self, inside the word, and up to the skies. Breathe in the God who judges and loves, supplies and delivers. He alone is to be feared and loved and served.
Would we match desire with discipline to do the good thing the psalmist describes? Would we put aside devices and urgencies to behold the One who rules behind and over them all? For what will I specifically thank Him that has captured my affection, answered my prayer, fulfilled my need, or comforted my soul? What need I let go in order to hold Him fast?
Most High, in every aspect and activity here below, fix my passion on Your highness. May I always and ever sing Your praise. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to [You] forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 7:12)
As the rain and snow 